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Leicestershire Police are asking the public to give A ‘Gift for Courage’ this Christmas in support of the Police Arboretum Memorial Trust’s Christmas campaign which launched today (Monday 17 December), in partnership with Twitter UK. The campaign aims to honour and remember fallen police officers who will be commemorated on the new UK Police Memorial to be built at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

From today until Friday 4 January 2019, the Trust will be tweeting the names of officers who died on duty on each day as well as personal Christmas video messages from the families of the fallen. As part of the campaign people will be directed to the UK Police Memorial website to make an online donation or to text COURAGE to 70171 to make an immediate £5 gift.

The campaign is raising money for the Trust’s Memorial fund which aims to create a physical memory of 4,000 police officers and staff who have died on duty as well as creating a Living Memorial fund that will support their families. The Memorial will cost £4.5 million to establish and to date £3.7 million has been raised. The Trust aims to complete the project by 2020.

As well as making donations, Leicestershire Police are asking the public to get involved and show their support for those who have laid down their lives from our Police service by tweeting out messages of tribute and uploading their own video messages of thanks using the hashtag #gift4courage.

Both the force and the OPCC are very supportive of the Police Arboretum Memorial Trust as they seek to ensure a poignant memorial for fallen officers.

“The OPCC has donated £20,000 from the Police Property Fund and a share of the collection from the recent force carol service has also gone towards this.

“Having attended the Arboretum on a number of occasions, it’s important that policing is represented in the same way as other services are commemorated.

"Sadly, some of the names that will go onto the memorial will be people that we know and served with and will include colleagues from Leicestershire Police who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

"We would urge you to support this Christmas appeal.”

Sir Hugh Orde Chair of Trustees said: “This time of year is about families coming together to celebrate the festive season. For some there will be an empty seat at the table of those who went out to work to police our cities, towns and villages and sadly never came home. We owe them all a debt of gratitude and to remind them and their families that they will never be forgotten.”

A man and woman from Rutland have been arrested on suspicion of involvement in the importation of up to £6 million-worth of ‘laughing gas’ for illegal human consumption.

The pair, both aged 55, were detained in the Ketton area on Monday 17 December 2018, and are to be questioned by officers from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) on suspicion of importing a psychoactive substance and money laundering.

Four other men and two women were also taken into custody during coordinated raids in north and south Yorkshire by Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit.

Nitrous oxide, also known as ‘laughing gas’, ‘balloons’, ‘NOS’ and ‘hippy crack’, is a gas commonly used in the medical and catering industry but is increasingly being used as a so-called ‘legal high’.

The consequences of taking the substance include dizziness and headaches, but can also be deadly, leading to suffocation.

EMSOU’s Detective Chief Inspector Ed McBryde-Wilding said: “In 2016, the government changed the law to ensure those involved in the unlawful supply of nitrous oxide could be prosecuted.

“Today, by working closely with other law enforcement partners, we have arrested a number of individuals suspected of being involved in the trafficking of this seemingly innocuous but potentially deadly substance.

“I hope today’s operation sends a strong message to those involved in this illicit trade that we will seek to prosecute wherever possible.”

A group of eight officers have been recognised for their outstanding work as part of an operation to tackle the supply of illegal drugs in North-West Leicestershire.

The officers were rewarded with a certificate for outstanding work, at the Chief Superintendent’s Award Ceremony, which took place at Leicestershire Police Force Headquarters, on Friday 14 December.

The operation, which took place in September, saw a total of nine arrests and investigations in relation to possession of offensive weapons and the supply of class A and B drugs.

Officers also collaborated with a number of partners including, North-West Leicestershire District Council, which contributed significantly to securing seven closure orders for anti-social behaviour and drugs related offences.

In addition, three vehicles were also seized.
The successful operation has seen the lives of local residents enhanced as a result of the eviction of their anti-social neighbours.

PC Graham Wells initiated the operation, he said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have picked up this award. We really did not expect it at all, however, there was outstanding work done by many individual officers within this operation and I am glad this has been recognised.

“The operation itself was a great success and shows just how effective we can be when we work collaboratively with local partners, such as North-West Leicester District Council. The action that we took really emphasised our zero tolerance stance towards this type of criminality. It has such a negative impact on the people who live in the local area and can cause major disruption and unrest to people’s lives. It is therefore important that we are proactive in dealing with these issues.”

Officers investigating a fatal road traffic collision have released a picture of a witness they wish to speak to.

The woman in the image stopped to provide assistance at the collision on the A46 in August.

She left the scene before officers were able to take her details but police urgently want to speak to her as she could have information which may help with the investigation.

The collision happened on the northbound carriageway of the A46, between the slip road for the A6 and Wanlip, at 10.49pm on Saturday 18 August.

The incident involved a silver Citroen Picasso and a black Ford Fiesta. The occupants of the Picasso - a 50-year-old woman and a 49-year-old man - died at the scene.

A number of people stopped to provide assistance, including this woman who was captured on an officer’s bodycam. She has been described to officers as a “medical professional”.

Despite extensive enquiries and witness appeals, police have not been able to trace her and are issuing her photo to the public in the hope she will come forward or someone will recognise her.

Officers want to make it clear this woman was not involved in the collision but was at the scene shortly after it occurred.

Detective Constable (DC) Ali Briance, from the force’s serious collision investigation unit, said: “We have tried a number of ways to locate the woman in the image but so far have not been able to identify who she is.

“This woman had no involvement in the collision but provided assistance after it had occurred and she may have information helpful to the investigation.

“Unfortunately we are unsure if this woman lives in the area or if she was simply travelling through Leicestershire when the collision occurred. We are hoping that by releasing her image she, or someone who recognises her, will come forward.

“If this is you, or you know who the woman is, please call me.”

A 26-year-old man from Northampton has been arrested on suspicion of driving with excess alcohol and causing death by dangerous driving and has been released under investigation.

You can contact DC Briance on 101, quoting incident number 781 of 18 August.

A 22-year-old man has been injured following an incident in the city centre in the early hours of this morning (Sunday).

The man was found collapsed in Belvoir Street, Leicester, at 3.15am this morning, and was taken to the Leicester Royal Infirmary.

It appears he may have been assaulted and subsequent CCTV checks show a man, matching the victim’s description, involved in an argument with two men. A number of people are seen to be filming the scene on their mobile phones.

The victim is now in the Queen’s Medical Centre where he is receiving treatment for a head injury.

PC Rich Jackson is the officer in the case. He said: “I know there were lots of people in the area when this incident took place – and the CCTV I’ve seen shows a number of people filming it on their mobile phones.

“I’d like to speak to you. You may have vital information about what happened and help me find who was involved, and the circumstances surrounding this man becoming injured.

“We haven’t been able to speak to the victim yet, as he is unconscious in hospital.

“Did you see what happened? Can you shed any light on what caused any cross words and the subsequent incident? It’s very important I speak to you.”

Officers from the Serious Collision Investigation unit are appealing for witnesses to a collision in Market Harborough.

The collision happened at around 5.50pm yesterday (13 December) on Doddridge Road at its junction with Kings Road.

It involved a pedestrian and a grey Audi A4 which was travelling towards Burnmill Road.

The pedestrian, a woman in her forties, was taken to the University Hospital of Coventry and Warwickshire with serious injuries.

The Audi driver was not injured.

Detective Constable Seamus Burns, the investigating officer, is appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision to get touch.

He said: “I would like to ask anyone who witnessed the collision to please contact us. Alternatively anyone who may have captured the collision or the events leading up to it on their dashcam, I would also urge to get in contact.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting 18*604700.

More than thirty officers, special constables and staff members were recognised this afternoon (Friday 14 December) for outstanding work over the past year.

The Local Policing Directorate (LPD) Chief Superintendent’s Awards Ceremony, which took place at Leicestershire Police Force Headquarters, celebrated work that has led to a reduction in crime, tackled anti-social behaviour and in many cases demonstrated exceptional levels of bravery.

Awards were handed out in recognition of a wide range of outstanding work, which included; preventing and helping several members of the public who were intent on taking their own life; giving first aid treatment including CPR; arresting a suspected a burglar who violently assaulted two police officers; running an exceptional team of cadets, setting up a Safer Roads Team run by special constables and securing intelligence that was instrumental in securing a nine year jail term for a man who beat someone with a crowbar causing serious injury.

The awards were presented by the LPD Chief Superintendent, Andy Lee, who said: “Today was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate some of the amazing work that our officers and support staff across the Local Policing Directorate do.

“Some of the examples of work that we have heard today really are quite remarkable and demonstrates just some of the ways in which members of our team go above and beyond the call of duty in order to serve members of the public.

“It is therefore so important that we take this opportunity to recognise and reward the work that is done by our officers and we should certainly celebrate how they operate as both individuals and also in their respective teams.”

PC Adam Commons was one of the officers who received an award. He was recognised for his exceptional work, when he talked a member of the public down from a bridge from which they were going to jump, he said: “I’m really honoured to have received this award, it was totally unexpected.

“When you are in the moment and carrying out the job, you certainly don’t think about accolades such as this, it is absolutely just a case of doing your job. Afterwards you reflect and think, it’s great to have been able to help that person, but you certainly don’t expect to be recognised in this type of manner.”

A man was seriously injured following an assault in the car park at Tesco Hamilton, Maidenwell Avenue, Leicester.

The victim was approached by two men in the car park, in the area near the library and surgery, at around 5.30pm last Friday (7 December).

The men, who are described as white, demanded the victim handed over his wallet, phone and keys.

When the victim refused, he was attacked leaving him with serious injuries. He attended hospital following the incident where he underwent treatment. He has since been discharged.

Enquiries are ongoing.

Detective Constable Michael White said: “This incident happened on a Friday afternoon when people would have been in the area. We believe this includes a person who shouted over to the suspects at the time of the incident.

“We urge anyone who was in the area at the time, including this person who shouted over, to make contact with us. If you have CCTV or dashcam footage from the area, please also check this as it could hold vital information.”

Anyone with any information should contact 101 quoting incident 18000594344.

The pleas relate to five counts of causing a child aged 13 to 15 to watch a sexual act, four counts of inciting a child aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity and two counts of sexual activity with a child, aged 13 to 14. The offences happened between 2015 and 2018.

Steadman was originally charged with 39 counts against 11 victims. The remaining counts will lie on file.

At Leicester Crown Court today (14 December), Steadman was given a six year custodial sentence, an indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) and ordered to be on the sex offenders register for life.

Steadman was arrested in February this year when officers received information from another police force that a 14-year-old girl had travelled to Leicestershire to meet with Steadman after chatting on social media. It was alleged that while in Oakham, Steadman had engaged in sexual activity with the girl.

Following initial questioning, he was released from custody but remained under investigation while specialist officers and staff from the force’s Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) team continued to investigate and subsequently established he had been in contact with other girls.

Detective Inspector Jenni Heggs, who is in charge of the force’s CSE team, said: “Steadman’s usual method of offending was to contact a number of children, usually girls aged 13 to 15-years-old, via Snapchat and try to engage them in conversation.

“CSE is a crime which sadly is on the rise especially given the ease of social media and its popularity with young people. We know that some victims find it difficult in coming forward and talking about the abuse they have suffered or don’t always realise the signs they are being groomed before it’s too late. We want to reassure any CSE victim that there is support available and specialist staff here to assist them through that process.

“Our team of representatives from the police, social care, health and other support workers will continue to work together to safeguard children and identify, prevent and disrupt CSE.

“I would like to add that I am extremely proud of all those who were involved on this investigation in particular the investigating officer DC Gareth Gimson, whose sheer dedication and commitment to seeking justice has been proven in this case.

DC Gimson added: “The victims have been particularly brave and I would like to pay tribute to them for their co-operation and support as we wouldn’t have secured this conviction without them.”

The following websites offer useful advice and help about the dangers of engaging with those on social media you don’t know and how you can help children stay safe online:

Crimestoppers have offered a substantial reward on the third anniversary of the brutal murder of a Leicester woman.

Mumtaz Member’s body was discovered in her home in Holmfield Avenue at 9.30am on Saturday 12 December, 2015.

The 56-year-old wife, mother and grandmother, was found with severe injuries and a post-mortem examination revealed that she died as a result of head injuries.

The independent charity, Crimestoppers, is offering a reward of up to £10,000 for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

Detective Inspector Tony Yarwood from East Midlands Special Operations Unit Major Crime Team, said: “Someone in the community knows what happened to Mumtaz and we are hoping the reward will generate further information.

“This won’t go away. Mumtaz didn’t deserve to die the way she did and we are determined to get justice for her and find those responsible.

“We are now pursuing some new lines of enquiry but urge those who know what happened to Mumtaz to come forward.

“We know the answer to this lies within the community. As a result officers will be out and about in the Holmfield Avenue and Spinney Hill areas distributing leaflets which have been translated in to Urdu, Punjabi, Gujarati and Hindi.

“We recognise that it’s not always easy to contact the police, especially if the information you may have is sensitive or you’re not sure if you have anything that may help. Any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, could help us.

“If you feel that you can’t contact us directly there are other ways you can pass information on to the police either via the force website or by contacting the independent charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously.”

If you can help then please contact the police via any of the following ways:-

New information into the brutal murder of a Leicester woman has now led detectives to issue an appeal on the third anniversary of the death.

Mumtaz Member’s body was found with severe injuries during the morning of Saturday 12 December, 2015. A post-mortem examination revealed that she died as a result of head injuries.

The 56-year-old mother of three was brutally killed in her home in Holmfield Avenue sometime between midnight and 9.30am, when she was discovered by a family member.

Detective Inspector Tony Yarwood from East Midlands Special Operations Unit Major Crime Team, said: “Mumtaz was killed in a brutal way in her own home. The injuries she sustained were significant and she did not deserve to suffer like she did.

“We owe it to Mumtaz to find those responsible. It may be three years since her death but our investigation remains ongoing. We are now pursuing some new lines of enquiry but urge those who know what happened to Mumtaz to come forward.

“Someone in the community knows who was responsible for Mumtaz’s murder and we need you to come forward, you could help us solve this crime.

“We understand that it’s not always easy coming forward, especially if the information you may have is sensitive or you’re not sure if you have anything that may help. Please be assured that we have specialist officers who can assist.

“If you feel that you can’t contact the police directly, there are others way you can forward information on to us either via our website or by contacting Crimestoppers, anonymously.”

Two men and a woman were arrested at the time and subsequently charged with murder. However, the case against them was discontinued in 2016.

If you can help then please contact us via any of the following ways:-

Police are investigating after a woman died following a collision in Bottesford.

The collision took place at 7.05pm yesterday evening (Monday 10 December), on the A52 at the junction with Belvoir Road, and involved two vehicles, a gold Vauxhall Corsa and a white Volkswagen Golf.

The driver of the Corsa sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The passenger sustained serious injuries and was taken to Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre for treatment.

The driver and passenger of the second vehicle sustained injuries and were relayed to Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre. The driver has since been discharged.

The A52 between the A46 and the location of the collision, was closed to allow for an investigation of the scene. It reopened at around 2am this morning (Tuesday).

Detective Constable Alison Briance from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit, is appealing for information, she said: “We would like to speak to anyone who was in the area and saw either of the vehicles being driven beforehand or the collision itself.

“If you have any information about the incident and have not yet spoken to officers we would like to hear from you.

“Equally if you have Dashcam and captured what happened we urge you to make contact.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact DC 4484 Alison Briance on 101, quoting incident number 552 of 10 December.